Thomas Partey will leave Arsenal as a free agent at the end of June.

 

Arsenal have officially decided not to renew Thomas Partey's contract. The Ghanaian midfielder, who joined the club from Atletico Madrid in 2020, will leave the Emirates as a free agent when his deal expires at the end of June. Although there were efforts to negotiate a new deal, the two parties could not reach an agreement. Partey is now expected to explore options elsewhere, with his availability on a free transfer likely to attract several clubs across Europe and beyond.

During his time at Arsenal, Partey showed flashes of quality and was an important figure in midfield when fully fit. However, recurring injuries disrupted his consistency, and his age  now 32  made the club hesitant to meet his wage demands. Reports suggest he was seeking a deal worth around £250,000 per week, which Arsenal were not willing to offer considering their evolving squad strategy.

Arsenal are now in the market for midfield reinforcements. Among the names being considered are Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard and Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi. The club also holds long-term interest in Lucien Agoume as part of their strategy to inject youth and depth into the number six role. The decision to let Partey go is part of a broader plan to refresh the squad with younger and more durable options in key positions.

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The end of Thomas Partey’s chapter at Arsenal comes at a time when the club is aiming to strengthen its midfield for another Premier League title push. While Partey contributed significantly when available, concerns over his long-term reliability made it difficult for the club to justify a new high-salary contract. His injury record over recent seasons has been frustrating, and with the African Cup of Nations coming up, his availability during a crucial part of the campaign would also have been limited.

Arsenal supporters have had mixed reactions. Some are nostalgic about his performances at his best, especially during Arsenal's strong spells last season. But many acknowledge that moving on is the right call given the player's age, fitness issues, and financial demands. Letting Partey leave without a fee may seem like a loss, but it also frees up significant wages and space for a younger midfielder with greater long-term value.

The club’s transfer targets suggest a shift toward more durable and versatile options in midfield. Nørgaard brings Premier League experience and defensive discipline. Zubimendi is seen as a more progressive deep-lying playmaker, while Agoume would be a longer-term project with high potential.

Partey leaves Arsenal with 85 Premier League appearances, a respectable contribution but one that fell short of the consistent dominance many hoped for when he signed. As Arsenal prepare for another season of Champions League football and domestic competition, this midfield rebuild will be a key storyline to watch.